Building a Graphics Workstation: Which CPU ?
June 17, 2008
Things to consider when choosing CPU(s) for your system are:
- Number of cores
- Operating frequency, cache
- Expected performance in intended software applications
- Power and cooling requirements
- Upgrade pathway
- Cost
Most graphic applications benefit from multi core CPU. The number of applications that can benefit from more than one core will likely increase in the future. Some Photoshop plug-ins and Lightroom seem to be able to use all 4 cores but the major bottle neck (in Intel architecture) appears to be the memory bandwidth which limits the potential benefit of 4 cores. While in general you might get faster performance with quadruple core CPU, there will be few occasions when dual core will offer the same performance. Dual core CPUs run generally cooler then their quadruple core equivalents, require less energy, are available at higher frequencies and generally cost less.
After reviewing Photoshop benchmarks available on internet one gets an impression that Intel CPUs currently offer performance advantage. The current choice seems to be between dual core and quadruple core 45nm Intel CPUs. The 45nm CPUs run cooler and in general little bit faster then similar 65 nm CPUs with the same frequency.
The upgrade path for current Intel CPUs is limited. You might be able to upgrade to slightly higher frequency or go from a dual core to a quadruple core. But the next generation of Intel processors (expected towards the end of 2008) is likely to require different socket resulting in the need for the new motherboard. On the positive side the new CPU architecture with integrated memory controller is promising a better memory access.
As with any computer parts, the cost-performance ratio in high end components is exponential, meaning that for a little increase in performance you will need to spend a lot of money.
I chose Intel® Core™2 Duo Desktop Processor E8400. It is based on 45 nm technology, dual core at 3.0 GHz, runs cool, offers good cost - performance ratio and has overclocking potential for those interested.